Flat panel display device with a hidden cavity

ABSTRACT

A flat panel display device including a housing and a cover is provided. The housing has a surface with a cavity. The cover is disposed on the housing for selectively covering the cavity, and is moveable along a direction substantially parallel to the surface.

This application claims the benefit of Taiwan application Serial No. 95105664, filed Feb. 20, 2006, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates in general to a flat panel display device, and more particularly to a flat panel display device with a hidden cavity.

2. Description of the Related Art

Liquid crystal display possessing the features of lightweight, low power consumption and low radiation has replaced the cathode ray tube (CRT) display and became a standard equipment of computer monitor.

However, the liquid crystal display is more expensive than the CRT display, and the monitor surface of the liquid crystal display is more vulnerable and can be scratched easily. Thus, how to design a display easy to be lifted, shifted or moved has became an imminent issue to be resolved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a flat panel display device with a hidden cavity disposed on a surface of the housing for facilitating the user to uplift the flat panel display device. Besides, the flat panel display device further has a moveable cover for covering the cavity, not only preventing the dust but also prettifying the appearance.

The invention achieves the above-identified object by providing a flat panel display device. The display device includes a housing and a cover. The housing has a surface with a cavity. The cover is disposed on the housing for selectively covering the cavity, and is moveable along a direction substabtially parallel to the surface.

The invention achieves another object by providing a flat panel display device. The display device includes a housing and a cover. The housing has a cavity, a protrusion and a lower flange, and the protrusion and the lower flange are formed on the opposite sides of the cavity. The cover is moveably connected with the housing. When the cover is moving toward the lower flange and then located at a first position, the cover adjoins the lower flange and substantially covers the cavity. When the cover is moving toward the protrusion and then located at a second position, the cavity is exposed to allow a user's finger to be inserted into the exposed cavity to uplift the flat panel display device, and the cover is restricted at the second position by the inserted user's finger.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred but non-limiting embodiments. The following description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a diagram of a flat panel display device whose cavity is covered by a cover according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a diagram of the flat panel display device of FIG. 1A whose cavity is exposed when the cover is removed;

FIG. 2A is a partial structural diagram of a flat panel display device whose cavity is partly covered by the cover of FIG. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 2B is a partial structural side view of a flat panel display device whose cavity is covered by a cover according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2C is a side view of a flat panel display device whose cavity is exposed when the cover of FIG. 2B is moved towards a top of the housing;

FIG. 3A is a partial structural diagram of a flat panel display device whose cavity is partly covered by a cover according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3B is a partial structural side view of a flat panel display device whose cavity is partly covered by a cover according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3C is a side view of a flat panel display device whose cavity is exposed when the cover of FIG. 3B is moved towards a top of the housing;

FIG. 4A is a diagram of a flat panel display device whose cavity is covered by a cover according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4B is a diagram of a flat panel display device whose cavity is exposed when the cover of FIG. 4A is removed;

FIG. 5A is a partial structural side view of a flat panel display device whose cover is located at a first position according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5B is a side view of a flat panel display device showing the cover of FIG. 5A is moved towards a protrusion to be located at a second position; and

FIG. 5C is a diagram of a flat panel display device showing user's fingers are inserted into a cavity to uplift the flat panel display device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION First Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIG. 1A is a diagram of a flat panel display device whose cavity is covered by a cover according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1B is a diagram of the flat panel display device of FIG. 1A whose cavity is exposed when the cover is removed. The flat panel display device 100 includes a housing 110 and a cover 120. The housing 110 has a surface 111 with a cavity 111 a. The cover 120 is disposed on the housing 110 for selectively covering the cavity 111 a when the cover 120 is located at an initial position as indicated in FIG. 1A. Besides, the cover 120 is moveable along a direction (as shown by an arrow 160) substantially parallel to the surface 111. Thus, when a force is exerted on the cover 120 located at the initial position, the cover 120 is moved towards a top of the housing 110 to expose the cavity 111 a. Then, the user's finger can be inserted into the exposed cavity 111 a to uplift the flat panel display device 100.

As for the design of enabling the cover 120 to move along the direction parallel to the surface 111 is exemplified and elaborated below.

Referring to FIG. 2A, a partial structural diagram of a flat panel display device whose cavity is partly covered by the cover of FIG. 1A and 1B is shown. The flat panel display device 100 includes a first gear 130 and a second gear 140 disposed on the housing. The cover 120 has a first gear rack 120 a and a second gear rack 120 b, which respectively engage with the first gear 130 and the second gear 140. The first gear 120 a and the second gear 120 b have the same specifications, that is, the radius, the tooth space and the tooth number are all the same. When the cover 120 is moved, the first gear rack 120 a and the second gear rack 120 b have substantially the same course of movement. When the user moves the cover 120 upwards but the applied force is uneven, the design of the present embodiment of the invention prevents the cover 120 from tilting or seizing, such that the cover 120 can be moved stably and smoothly.

Moreover, the cover 120 further includes a cover plate 121 and a force-applying portion such as a bump 122 disposed on the cover plate 121 for example. The disposition of the bump 122 depends on the direction of the movement of the cover 120. In the present embodiment of the invention, the bump 122 adjoins a lower flange of the cover plate 121, such that when the user exerts an upward force on the bump 122 to move the cover plate 121, the cover 120 is moved toward the top of the housing 110 from the initial position. On the contrary, when the user exerts a downward force to the bump 122, the cover 120 is moved back to the initial position to cover the cavity 111 a.

In the first embodiment, the flat panel display device 100 includes an ejection mechanism 150 for pushing the cover 120 toward the initial position to cover the cavity 111 a when no force is exerted on the cover 120. As indicated in FIG. 2A, the ejection mechanism 150 includes a spring 151. One end of the spring 151 is fixed on an inner wall 170 of the housing 110, while the other end of the spring 151 is fixed on an upper flange 121 a of the cover plate 121. Referring to FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C. FIG. 2B is a partial structural side view of a flat panel display device whose cavity is covered by a cover according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2C is a side view of a flat panel display device whose cavity 111 a is exposed when the cover of FIG. 2B is moved toward the top of the housing. As indicated in FIG. 2B, when the cover 120 is located at the initial position, the spring 151 is compressed slightly for enabling the cover 120 to be located at the initial position. As indicated in FIG. 2C, when the cover 120 is moved toward the top of the housing 110, the cover plate 121 compresses the spring 151 at the same time. Meanwhile, when the cavity 111 a is exposed in FIG. 2C, part of the cover 120 protrudes downwards within the cavity 111 a, so as to facilitate the user's finger to uplift the flat panel display device.

Thus, once the force applied on the bump 122 disappears, the spring 151 provides an elastic force to push the cover 120 back to the initial position.

Second Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 3A, a partial structural diagram of a flat panel display device whose cavity is partly covered by a cover according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the housing 310 of the flat panel display device 300 includes a first track 330 and a second track 340, and that the cover 320 has a first rail 320 a and a second rail 320 b, which respectively slide within the first track 330 and the second track 340. When the cover 320 is moved, the first rail 320 a and the second rail 320 b are respectively sliding along the first track 330 and the second track 340. The first track 330 and the second track 340 have the function of restricting the direction of movement of the first rail 320 a and the second rail 320 b. When the user moves the cover 320 upward but the applied force is uneven, the design of the present embodiment of the invention prevents the cover 320 from tilting or seizing, such that the cover 320 can be moved stably and smoothly. Similarily, the present embodiment of the invention can further employ a bump 322 and an ejection mechanism 350 to achieve better performance as described in the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3B and 3C. FIG. 3B is a partial structural side view of a flat panel display device whose cavity is partly covered by a cover according to a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3C is a side view of a flat panel display device whose cavity is exposed when the cover of FIG. 3B is moved towards a top of the housing. As indicated in FIG. 3B, when the cover 320 is located at an initial position, the spring 351 is compressed slightly for enabling the cover 320 to be located at the initial position. As indicated in FIG. 3C, when the cover 320 is moved towards a top of the housing 310, the cover plate 321 compresses the spring 351 at the same time. Thus, once the force applied on the bump 322 disappears, the spring 351 provides an elastic force pushing the cover 320 back to the initial position. Similarly, when the cavity 311 a is exposed in FIG. 3C, part of the cover 120 protrudes downwards within the cavity 311 a, so as to facilitate the user's finger to uplift the flat panel display device

Third Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 4A and 4B. FIG. 4A is a diagram of a flat panel display device whose cavity is covered by a cover according to a third embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4B is a diagram of a flat panel display device whose cavity is exposed when the cover of FIG. 4A is removed. The flat panel display device 400 includes a housing 410 and a cover 420. The housing 410 has a cavity 411, a protrusion 411 a and a lower flange 411 b, and the protrusion 411 a and the lower flange 411 b are formed on the opposite sides of the cavity 411. Preferably, the protrusion 411 a is a plate disposed on an upper flange 411 c of the cavity 411 and is extended towards the lower flange 411 b. The upper flange 411 c is opposite to the lower flange 411 b. The cover 420 is moveably connected with the housing 410. When the cover 420 is moving toward the lower flange 411 b and then located at a first position, the cover 420, which is substantially parallel to the protrusion 411 a, adjoins the lower flange 411 b and substantially covers the cavity 411, as indicated in FIG. 4A. When the cover 420 is moving toward the protrusion 411 a and then located at a second position as indicated by the arrow 430 in FIG. 4B, the cover 420 is substantially perpendicular to the protrusion 411 a. Meanwhile, the cavity 411 is exposed to allow a user's finger to be inserted into the exposed cavity 411 to uplift the flat panle display device 400.

Referring to FIG. 5A and 5B. FIG. 5A is a partial structural side view of a flat panel display device whose cover is located at a first position according to a third embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5B is a side view of a flat panel display device showing the cover of FIG. 5A is moved towards a protrusion to be located at a second position. After the cover 420 is moved to the second position from the first position, user's fingers can be inserted into the exposed cavity 411 to uplift the flat panel display device 400, meanwhile the cover 420 is pressed by user's finger and thereby restricted at the second position by the inserted user's finger. Preferably, the height T of the protrusion 411 a is larger than the thickness D of the cover 420, such that when the cover 420 is located at the second position, the protrusion 411 a protrudes downward over the cover 420, as indicated in FIG. 5B.

Referring to FIG. 5C, a diagram of a flat panel display device showing user's fingers are inserted into a cavity to uplift the flat panel display device according to a third embodiment of the invention is shown. When the user exerts an upward force to the flat panel display device 400, the protrusion 411 a prevents the user's fingers from slipping off the cavity 411, not only assuring the safety of removal but also making the application of force easier to the user.

Any one who is skilled in the technology of the invention will understand that the technology of the invention is not limited thereto. For example, both the positions and the number of tracks and rails can be adjusted to fit actual needs, and so are the positions and the number of gears and gear racks. The number of springs of the ejection mechanism is also adjustable, depending on manufacturing considerations or practical application. In the first and the second embodiments, the cover can be designed to move towards either side of the housing along another direction parallel to the surface. For example, the cover is moved towards the two lateral sides of the housing along a direction perpendicular to the arrow 160. Besides, the third embodiment can incorporate an ejection mechanism such as a torsional spring 440, such that when the force applied by the user disappears, the cover 420 is enabled to rotate towards the lower flange 411 b to be located at the first position for covering the cavity 411. Any design of flat panel display device with a hidden cavity selectively covered by a moveable cover for facilitating the user to move the flat panel display device is within the scope of technology of the invention.

According to the flat panel display device disclosed in the above three embodiments of the invention, a cavity is disposed to facilitate the removal of the flat panel display device and is selectivey covered by a moveable cover. The user can move or push the cover to expose the cavity, and uplift the flat panel display device by the cavity. On the other hand, when the cavity is not used, the cover can covers the cavity to prevent the dust and prettify the appearance.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures, and the scope of the appended claims therefore should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements and procedures. 

1. A flat panel display device, comprising: a housing having a surface with a cavity; and a cover disposed on the housing for selectively covering the cavity, wherein the cover is moveable along a direction substantially parallel to the surface.
 2. The flat panel display device according to claim 1, wherein when a force is exerted on the cover, the cover is moved towards a top of the housing to expose the cavity to allow a user's finger to be inserted into the exposed cavity and to uplift the flat panel display device.
 3. The flat panel display device according to claim 2, wherein when the cavity is exposed, part of the cover protrudes downwards within the cavity, so as to facilitate the user's finger to uplift the flat panel display device.
 4. The flat panel display device according to claim 1, further comprising an ejection mechanism, wherein when no force is exerted on the cover, the ejection mechanism enables the cover to move toward an initial position to cover the cavity.
 5. The flat panel display device according to claim 4, wherein the ejection mechanism comprises a spring for providing an elastic force to push the cover toward the initial position.
 6. The flat panel display device according to claim 1, further comprising a first gear and a second gear disposed on the housing, and the cover further comprising a first gear rack and a second gear rack which respectively engage with the first gear and the second gear, and when the cover is moved, the first gear rack and the second gear rack have substantially the same course of movement.
 7. The flat panel display device according to claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a first track and a second track, and the cover further comprises a first rail and a second rail which respectively slide within the first track and the second track, and when the cover is moved, the first rail and the second rail are respectively sliding along the first track and the second track.
 8. The flat panel display device according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a cover plate and a force-applying portion disposed on the cover plate, and the force-applying portion adjoins a lower flange of the cover plate.
 9. The flat panel display device according to claim 8, wherein the force-applying portion is a bump.
 10. A flat panel display device, comprising: a housing having a cavity, a protrusion and a lower flange, wherein the protrusion and the lower flange are formed on the opposite sides of the cavity; and a cover moveably connected with the housing, wherein when the cover is moving toward the lower flange and then located at a first position, the cover adjoins the lower flange and substantially covers the cavity; when the cover is moving toward the protrusion and then located at a second position, the cavity is exposed to allow a user's finger to be inserted into the exposed cavity to uplift the flat panel display device, and the cover is restricted at the second position by the inserted user's finger.
 11. The flat panel display device according to claim 10, wherein a height of the protrusion is larger than a thickness of the cover, such that when the cover is located at the second position, the protrusion protrudes downwards over the cover, so as to facilitate the user's finger to uplift the flat panel display device.
 12. The flat panel display device according to claim 10, further comprising an ejection mechanism enabling the cover to rotate toward the lower flange to be located at the first position for covering the cavity. 